Profile Photo
Kyrsten SinemaINDIndependent United States Senator
47
Years of Age
20
Years of Experience
AZResidence (state)

Kyrsten Lea Sinema (KEER-stən SIN-ə-mə; born July 12, 1976) is an American politician and former social worker serving as the senior United States senator from Arizona, a seat she has held since 2019. A former member of the Democratic Party, Sinema became an independent in December 2022.Sinema served three terms as a state representative for the 15th legislative district from 2005 to 2011, one term as the state senator for the 15th legislative district from 2011 to 2012, and three terms as the United States representative for the 9th district from 2013 to 2019. She began her political career in the Arizona Green Party and rose to prominence for her progressive advocacy, supporting causes such as LGBT rights and opposing the war on terror. She left the Green Party to join the Arizona Democratic Party in 2004 and was elected to a seat in the United States House of Representatives in 2012. After her election, she joined the New Democrat Coalition, the Blue Dog Coalition and the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, amassing one of the most conservative voting records in the Democratic caucus. Sinema won the 2018 Senate election to replace the retiring Jeff Flake, defeating Republican nominee Martha McSally. She is the first bisexual and the second openly LGBT woman (after Tammy Baldwin) to be elected to Congress, in the House of Representatives in 2012 and in the Senate in 2018. She is also the first woman elected to the Senate from Arizona and the only religiously unaffiliated member of Congress.Sinema was considered a key swing vote in the Senate, which was split 50–50 between Democrats and Republicans in the 117th U.S. Congress. She is one of three independents in the Senate, the others being Bernie Sanders and Angus King, both of whom also caucus with the Democrats. Sinema has announced she will not seek reelection in 2024.

Voterly's Issue Scores  (1 - 30 of 30)

Below lists the position this politician has taken on a political issue. The star rating represents the politician's prioritization and action on the issue based on data collected by relevant interest groups. Select an issue to view a more in-depth explanation of each rating.

Special Interest Group Ratings

Interest Groups That SUPPORT
Rating
Interest Groups That OPPOSE
Rating
Average Score

Disclaimer: A special interest group's positions on issues are gathered from various reputable sources including the organization's website, social media accounts, press releases, and other public communications. Special interest group politician ratings are provided by VoteSmart.org. Positions and ratings are subject to change and we may experience delays, interruptions, or errors, as a result. If you believe this information is inaccurate, please submit a problem report. Submit Report.

0 / 30

Campaign Funding

20
18
$22,197,141
Total Raised
$24,289,249
Total Spent
$171,527
Cash on Hand
Top Industries  (1 - 4 of 10) View All Industries
99%
Retired$1,612,569
91%
Lawyers/Law Firms$1,478,406
70%
Securities & Investment$1,138,062
52%
Women's Issues$840,264
46%
Real Estate$753,217
39%
Education$627,761
36%
Democratic/Liberal$585,814
30%
Leadership PACs$488,874
30%
Health Professionals$488,347
24%
Business Services$384,843
Direct campaign contributions grouped by the industry industry of each donor/PAC.

Largest Contributors

Funding generally from an organization's PAC or its members/employees. Organizations did not donate directly.
Financial Data Source: Center for Responsive Politics
Education6 - 6 of 4
School of Justice and Social Inquiry, Arizona State University
PhD
2009 - 2012
Arizona State University
JD
2002 - 2004
Arizona State University
MSW Social Work
1997 - 1999
Brigham Young University
BA
1995
Past Positions1 - 10 of 10
Senator
United States Senate, Arizona
2019 - Current
Representative
United States House of Representatives, Arizona
2012 - 2019
Senator
Arizona State Senate
2010 - 2012
Representative
Arizona State House of Representatives
2004 - 2010
Faculty
Center for Progressive Leadership
2006 - Current
Attorney
2005 - Current
Adjunct Professor
Arizona State University School of Social Work
2002 - Current
Social Worker
Washington Elementary School District, Phoenix
1995 - 2002
Director
Family Resource Center, Shaw Butte Elementary School
Former Social Worker
Sunnyslope Community
Other Experience1 - 74 of 74
Member
Blue Dog Coalition
Current
Member
New Democrat Coalition
Current
Member
White House Health Reform Task Force
2009
Chair
Protect Arizona's Freedom
2008
Board Member
Arizona Center for Progressive Leadership
2006 - Current
Member
Commission to Prevent Violence Against Women
2006 - Current
Board Member
Girls for a Change
2005 - Current
Board Member
National, Progressive Democrats of America
2005 - Current
Board President
Community Outreach and Advocacy for Refugees
2005 - Current
Chair
Arizona Together
2005 - Current
Member
Precinct Committee, Arizona Democratic Party
2005 - Current
Board Member
Arizona Death Penalty Forum
2003 - Current
Member
Arizona Civil Liberties Union
Member
Arizona Human Rights Fund
Member
Basic Needs Coalition
Member
Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), Maricopa County
Member
Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Member
Arizona Women's Political Caucus
Member
Sierra Club
Member
Planned Parenthood
Member
National Organization of Women
Member
Common Cause
Member
Young Elected Officials' Network
Member
Protecting Arizona's Family Coalition
Member
National Association of Social Workers
Member
League of Women Voters
Member
Arizona Education Association
Member
Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice
Member
Arizona Advocacy Network
Co-Chair
Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus
Current
Co-Founder
United Solutions Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Arts Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Assisting Caregivers Today Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Caucus for Middle Market Growth
Current
Member
Congressional Caucus on Parkinson’s Disease
Current
Member
Congressional Caucus on Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Current
Member
Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues
Current
Member
Congressional Diabetes Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Dutch Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Interstate 11 Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Inventions Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Military Families Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Nursing Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Payments Technology Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Fire Services Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Rodeo Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Soccer Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Social Work Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional United Service Organization (USO)
Current
Member
House Quiet Skies Caucus
Current
Member
Veterinary Medicine Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional STEAM Caucus
Current
Member
House General Aviation Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Diversifying Technology Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Algae Caucus
Current
Member
Congressional Steel Caucus
Current
Former Member
Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection
Former Member
Capital Markets, Securities, and Investment Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Financial Services, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Terrorism and Illicit Finance Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Special Committee on Aging, United States Senate
Former Member
Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet, United States Senate
Former Member
Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection, United States Senate
Former Member
Subcommittee on Security, United States Senate
Former Member
Subcommittee on Economic Policy, United States Senate
Former Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Aviation and Space, United States Senate